News

New chapter for Darwen librarian

DARWEN librarian Mary Painter is leaving to take up a new post in charge of community history at Blackburn.

Mary has worked for the library service in Blackburn, Darwen, and Accrington, since 1983, and has held a variety of posts, including senior assistant at Darwen in the mid-1980s, and Blackburn reference librarian.

She also spent some time working with pre-school children at Blackburn, before moving to Darwen as librarian in 2008, just before the centenary of the library’s opening.

She was grew up in Blackburn, but has lived in Darwen for 25 years.

John East, chairman of the Friends of Darwen Library, said: “We will all miss Mary.She has done a tremendous job at Darwen and the Friends’ group wouldn’t have got off the ground, and been so successful, without her support and enthusiasm.”

Taking over at Darwen in late September will be Catherine Snelling, a close friend of Mary who was librarian at Darwen from 2000 until 2005. Catherine is currently manager of Blackburn Central Library.